From the page: The tire has incredible second lives
Idea 6
Tire coffee table with top
Turning tires into furniture became hugely popular in sustainable furniture projects because rubber has ideal compression and elasticity: it carries load without deforming and absorbs unevenness in the floor. The structural key is balance — the top needs to be wider than the tire so the center of gravity stays low and the table does not tip over.
What you need
- 1 or 2 car tires of the same size
- A round wood top (or pallet wood cut into a circle), about 20 cm wider than the tire
- Contact cement or screws with wall anchors
- Thick jute or sisal rope + hot glue (for covering)
- Sandpaper and a damp cloth
- A wide wood base for the bottom (optional, but recommended)
How to make it
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1
Clean and sand the tire to remove road residue, because a dirty surface makes glue and paint fail over time.
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2
Attach a wood base to the bottom of the tire, because this closes the circular opening, keeps objects from falling inside and lowers the table's center of gravity.
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3
Attach the top on above, centered and glued or screwed through the bottom base — the 20 cm overhang creates a "rim" that stabilizes it and prevents sideways tipping.
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4
Cover the tire with tightly wound jute rope, gluing loop by loop with hot glue: besides the beautiful finish, the rope adds rigidity to the sidewall.
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5
Test stability by gently pushing the top: if it wobbles, level the floor underneath with felt pads or rubber on the spots that rock.
Finishing touches
Two stacked tires make a taller table, ideal next to a sofa — just make sure to lock them together with glue or screws. An ottoman with a round cushion on top turns the piece into an extra seat.
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